Belle

Belle is a visually stunning anime film from director Mamoru Hosoda that reimagines the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale within a virtual reality world called "U," where shy high school student Suzu transforms into the globally beloved pop star Belle. The film's greatest achievement lies in its breathtaking animation, particularly the sequences set in U, which burst with color, fluid motion, and imaginative character designs that push the boundaries of digital artistry—Suzu's avatar Belle performs elaborate musical numbers against ever-shifting virtual landscapes that rival anything in contemporary animation. While the film's examination of online identity, anonymity, and the duality between our virtual and physical lives feels remarkably relevant, Suzu's journey's emotional core—dealing with the sorrow of losing her mother and finding her voice both literally and metaphorically—resonates powerfully. Beyond the straightforward fairy tale structure, the supporting characters contributes dimensions to the story, such as Shinobu (Suzu's childhood buddy) and the mysterious Dragon (a scarred, ferocious player who becomes Belle's obsession).

The movie, however, suffers greatly from its ambitious breadth, trying to balance too many story threads without completely developing any one of them, such as loss, first love, cyberbullying, domestic abuse, and the nature of internet fame. As Suzu's search for the Dragon's true identity culminates in a theatrical resolution that undercuts the nuance of the film's earlier emotional beats, the second half's shift from virtual romance to real-world suspense feels tonally startling. Even though U's virtual world is visually stunning, it is incredibly underexplained; we never learn about the platform's policies, business model, or how members interact outside of attending concerts, which makes several story points seem random rather than deserving. Additionally, the musical sequences, though beautifully animated, occasionally halt narrative momentum, and the film's runtime of over two hours tests the patience of viewers expecting a tighter fairy tale adaptation. While *Belle* succeeds as a feast for the eyes and a sincere exploration of adolescent self-discovery, its narrative overreach and uneven pacing prevent it from achieving the emotional perfection of its visual splendor.

Staff:

Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda

Written by: Mamoru Hosoda

Story by: Mamoru Hosoda

Produced by: Nozomu Takahashi, Yuichiro Saito, Toshimi Tanio, and Genki Kawamura

Starring: Kaho Nakamura, Ryō Narita, Shōta Sometani, Tina Tamashiro, Lilas Ikuta, Kōji Yakusho, and Takeru Satoh.

Edited by: Shigeru Nishiyama

Music by: Taisei Iwasaki, Ludvig Forssell, Yuta Bandoh, and Miho Sakai

Production companies: Studio Chizu

Distributed by: Toho

Release date: July 16, 2021

Running time: 121 minutes